I thought I had resolved this a few weeks ago, but obviously not....
Automatic updates keep advising me that SP3 is available. It downloads and installs just fine, but on restarting the computer, the following message appears;
We apologise for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.
If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent setting that works.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Windows), free and safe download. Windows XP Service Pack 3 latest version: The latest major update for Windows XP. Windows XP Service Pack 3 (Windows), free and safe download. Windows XP Service Pack 3 latest version: The latest major update for Windows XP.
If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure because the power or reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose Start Windows Normally.
Safe Mode
Win Xp Sp3 Patch Download
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that work)
Start Windows Normally
This last option is automatically highlighted and if left alone, counts down and restarts endlessly, coming back to the above message each time.
Last Known Good Configuration does the same. Did not try Safe Mode with Networking or Command Prompt as I have no idea where that would take me.
I just go into Safe Mode and restart from an earlier Set Point. I have tried Mr Fixit and all the other suggested links, but cannot resolve this issue.
Original Windows Xp Sp3 Download
The computer is a 2nd hand Compaqu Presario and I have deleted all games that the previous owner had loaded, but perhaps there are settings still there that are causing this problem, even though I have restarted it with its original factory settings, redownloaded SP2 and Microsoft office etc.